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by Ron Guillet

on 07/01/2010 - 17:49

If the Toronto Maple Leafs hope to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs next season, the franchise must now focus on upgrading the offence.

While the acquisition of Kris Versteeg certainly helps, the Leafs are still in need of some firepower upfront. Options are scarce in the free agent market, but the likes of Matthew Lombardi (although reports indicate he is seeking upwards of $4 million per season), Alexander Frolov and Ilya Kovalchuk are still available.

The Leafs have $7.05 million in cap space and must still re-sign restricted free agents Nikolai Kulemin and Christian Hanson.

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Versteeg Just the Beginning

by Ron Guillet

on 07/01/2010 - 00:03

On the eve of the Free Agent Frenzy, Brian Burke has once again stole the headlines with the acquisition of Kris Versteeg to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Burke has added a player who can legitimately play as a top-six forward. The 24-year-old has two 20+ goal seasons under his belt in his first two years in the National Hockey League.

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Savard Makes Sense

by Ron Guillet

on 06/28/2010 - 01:29

If Brian Burke is contemplating the idea of acquiring Marc Savard, the Toronto Maple Leafs may be on the verge of adding a substantial piece to its rebuilding plan.

That may sound strange considering the playmaking center is nearly 33 years old and is the beneficiary of a seven-year contract, but there are other factors at play that makes this rumor an enticing one.

It’s no secret the Leafs are considerably bare not only down the middle, but in forward depth as well.

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Chicago Trade Means No Sharp

by Ron Guillet

on 06/23/2010 - 17:27

Well, scratch another player from the Toronto Maple Leafs’ list of potential top-six forwards.

Patrick Sharp is no longer an option for trade with the departures of Dustin Byfuglien, Ben Eager and Brent Sopel from the Chicago Blackhawks.

The Hawks now have the cap space necessary (with the anticipated demotion of goaltender Cristobal Huet) to tend offer sheets to their restricted free agents, which means there’s no reason to trade Sharp.

If the unofficial report which suggested Burke had targeted Nathan Horton and Sharp is true, then the Leafs GM may be on the verge of something drast

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Leafs Should Target Frolov

by Ron Guillet

on 06/23/2010 - 13:10

If the Toronto Maple Leafs hope to complete the task of qualifying for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in six years, they will need to import some firepower to the forward ranks.

It’s unlikely the current group of forwards would provide the necessary boost for the Leafs to vault from 15th to eight place in the Eastern Conference.

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Food For Thought: Nathan Horton

by Ron Guillet

on 06/09/2010 - 11:26

As July 1 approaches, there are no shortage of rumors involving the Toronto Maple Leafs as they attempt to bolster the forward ranks.

Although Nathan Horton has not been linked as a potential target of GM Brian Burke, I believe it is within the realm of possibility. I base this simply from speculation posted at Spector's Hockey.

One of the links quotes Elliotte Friedman discussing the possibility of Florida Panthers' GM Dave Tallon pursuing Tomas Kaberle.

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Kadri Should Play Wing

by Ron Guillet

on 04/28/2010 - 14:15

Nazem Kadri is ranked fourth overall in points in the Ontario Hockey League playoffs.

He also has the highest points-per-game average.

It has a nice ring to it when you take into consideration he was eliminated in the second-round by his ex-team, the Kitchener Rangers. Kadri compiled an impressive 9 goals and 27 points in 12 playoff games.

However, that doesn't mean his future in the National Hockey League is solidified. Not even close, actually. Plenty of promising prospects have fell by the wayside and spoiled untapped potential.

Will that be the case with Kadri?

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In With The New... In With The Old

by Ron Guillet

on 04/25/2010 - 13:52

Since Brian Burke has been at helm, the Toronto Maple Leafs organization has restocked its prospect cupboard and have instilled hope in a fanbase desperate to win.

Leafs fans have witnessed both highs and lows during the 2009-10 season and, although they must watch helplessly as the Boston Bruins select either one of Tyler Seguin or Taylor Hall, there is now legitimate reason to believe the Stanley Cup drought could come to an end.

When?

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Retain One, Or Trade Both?

by Ron Guillet

on 03/02/2010 - 13:14

With the National Hockey League's trade deadline looming, names like Alexei Ponikarovsky and Lee Stempniak are becoming increasingly popular in the Toronto Maple Leafs brass.

Fans of the Blue & White have been playing armchair general manager and have formulated a number of trades since the Olympic break.

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Victim of Expectations

by Ron Guillet

on 02/05/2010 - 15:16

Dion Phaneuf, as of right now, is not a Norris trophy candidate.

Phaneuf took the National Hockey League by storm in his rookie season, producing 20 goals as a 20-year-old defenseman. He then had a successful sophomore campaign, breaking the 50-point barrier. In his third year, he had a 10-point increase and produced 60 points, gaining him consideration for the Norris trophy at only 22 years old.

Since then, however, Phaneuf has regressed.

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